An interesting look at misguided youth spurred to revolution and free love at the end of the 60s in LA. We follow 2 strangers united by chance in the desert after a murder , a stolen plane and some frolicking in the desert. Soundtrack by Pink Floyd and the Grateful Dead. Visually stunning and filled with scenes that date the movie to it's time- this is well worth checking out. B+

Friday, May 26, 2017

This 1968 caper flick follows Gary Lockwood as he decides to take on an armored truck . Elke Sommer , Lee J Cobb , and Jack Palance are a part of this random exercise in explosions, fights and Vegas. This should of stayed in Vegas. C-

Pair director William Castle with writer Robert Bloch ( Psycho, 3 episodes of classic Star Trek) and give them Joan Crawford, Diane Baker and George Kennedy and you have a hoot of a movie. Also look for the Fall Guy in a brief cameo at the beginning of the movie. This thriller is half unintentional (intentional comedy) and half horror film. If you like camp mixed with ax-murdering - you should enjoy this 60s concoction. B

Monday, May 15, 2017

Batman and Bill is a documentary currently streaming on Hulu about the co-creator of the Dark Knight. While it is an interesting story - the documentary felt overly long and like it was washing it's own car after 60 minutes.
C+

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Dirty Dozen - decades before the cartoonish Expendables - Lee Marvin leads this teamwork through montage cast of all-stars in a solid action flick from the 60s. I imagine this movie is on some Maxim or GQ list of macho movies dudes must watch. Hall of Fame RB James Brown , Donald Sutherland, Trini Lopez, Ralph Meeker , Charles Bronson and other action stalwarts of the 60s band together to train for a suicide mission behind Nazi lines.

Sunday, May 07, 2017

The Man I Love - Ida Lupino blows back into town -she is visiting her family and also a singer for nightclubs. Featuring music by the Gershwins and stellar performances by Ida Lupino, Alan Hale and Robert Alda this romantic movie is well worth checking out. Featuring snappy dialogue and a solid plot I am glad I have TCM again. A

Sugarland Express - amazing 70s car-chase film by Steven Spielberg . Based on a true story this movie follows Goldie Hawn and William Atherton as 2 down on their luck petty thieves that decide they need to rescue their son from foster parents. The movie is littered with great cameos by locals with thick Texas accents and some great accidental demolition derby. A

Saturday, May 06, 2017

LA 92 -A Nat Geo documentary about the Los Angeles riots after the 4 officers that beat down Rodney King - graphic and sickening footage that is gripping at the same time. Currently streaming on Hulu. A+

It Happened One Night (1934) - Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert co-star in this Oscar winning romantic comedy that follows a runaway bride and a reporter hoping to get a scoop on the story of the moment. They banter on a bus and a farm and a couple of hotel rooms. The movie is cute and charming but the scandal of it has not endured( Gable without a shirt, Colbert flashes her gams). B+

Monday, May 01, 2017

A campy remake of the classic the Women. This movie is a mix of musical and verbal cat-fights(also one actual cat fight). Featuring an all-star cast led by June Allyson and featuring Ann Sheridan , Jim Backus , Dick Shawn , Agnes Moorehead, Joan Collins, Joan Blondell and many others. Featuring wacky songs, some good verbal jabs and wardrobes that assault the eye this is a fun jaunt. B+

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Errol Flynn portrays famous pugilist Gentleman Jim Corbett - the movie is a classic film from the 40s- we follow Corbett's rise from a slick-talking bank teller to his word title bout with James L Sullivan. The movie also features some superb banter and a solid cast that includes Ward Bond. Currently streaming on TCM. B+

This heartfelt autobiography of AJ Lee ( the skipping diva from WWE) is well worth the quick and fun read. Most of the book deals with her life before her time between the ropes. The book deals with an uncertain childhood, living in cars , motels and more. She discusses her personal battles with mental health issues. She also discusses her time in WWE and her marriage to CM Punk. A solid and engaging memoir fit for both fans of grappling and anyone else. A

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Between the demise of the Sex Pistols and the ascension of Nirvana - hardcore was the sound of the underground. In the nation's capitol several teenagers took their passion and made their own scene, rules and record label. Featuring interviews with members of the bands and footage from shows this rocukumentary covers the DC hardcore scene in the 80s. Currently streaming on the Nightflight app.

Sunday, April 09, 2017

Tye Dillinger beats Curt Hawkins in his debut. The smark crowd is all too happy to welcome him to the arena.

Miz and Marayese are mocking Cena and Nikki when a violinist shows up to signify the debut of Shinsuke Nakaruma - the crowd is so enthralled - they hum along with the entrance music.

AJ and Shane shake hands

RKO and Harper defeat the remaining Wyatt family folks

On Tuesday there is a chemical attack in Syria. On Thursday the US launches a missile attack on a Syrian air field. Currently the president Donald Trump has record low approval ratings. On Friday the Senate utilizes the nuclear option to confirm Gorsuch as the newest member of SCOTUS.

This low-budget slasher movie is an attempt to cash in on the Zodiac killings going on in California in the seventies. It is beyond sexist - one man jokes to a gaggle of bar women "Don't worry we won't rape you.. not here anyway". Several probable suspects are shown and then it is winnowed down to the killer. So these low budget producers solved the unsolved crime. If you like low budget movies- this one moves along and has enough bad dialogue and action to keep things moving along. Not for everyone - but a solid exploitation title. C

An odd over the top movie watching a young girl (abandoned by her mother) grow up into an attention starved but attractive woman. Loosely based on the Marilyn Monroe story (instead of marrying an ex baseball player , she marries a boxer (played by Lloyd Bridges). The dialogue driven script written by Paddy Chayefsky covers several different scenarios and is held together by Kim Stanley chewing up the scenery as the main attraction.
B

Saturday, April 08, 2017

This teen gone wild movie starts with a suicide attempt. This is followed by a series of flashbacks showing why the girl tried to kill herself. Her mother is so indifferent I thought she was a step-mother or just a date for the father. The movie has twists and turns - but is so dated it is like watching a time capsule regarding dating in the early fifties. C-

Saturday, April 01, 2017

I have to admit the last NXT function I remember vividly was the Dallas event from Mania last year- many of those folks have joined team red or blue

NXT functions like a AAA team for the main WWE rosters. It takes in grapplers from around the world and the local indie scene.

The opening match sees Sanity (including former TNA champ Eric Young) defeat a 4 person team that includes Kassius Ono( formerly Chris Hero) and Roderick Strong ( from ROH and other places).

Edge and Beth Phoenix are shown in the audience.

Almas(Mexico-third generation luchador) vs Black (Holland). After a solid debut Aleister Black defeated the arrogant Mexican. But the slip of tongue by announcer Nigel McGinness after the match grabs the attention of the internet wrestling fans- he stated "He (Black) will be a man to reckon with in the future here in Ring of Honor".

Tag Team Title Match
The Revival vs DIY vs Authors of Pain( with Paul Ellering) . Authors of Pain retain.

Women's Title

Ember Moon vs Asuka - Asuka retains after a ref bump- she has been champ for a year.

I work third shift- I fell asleep and missed a tornado with hail and then I decided to watch the HOF and then I passed out before the Cornette speech. Thankfully the WWE Network is on demand- so I just started re-watching the HOF in the wee hours of the morning.

I won't throw shade or rate or hate- just glad this ceremony is on demand .

Friday, March 31, 2017

You could set your clock by the schedule of Doc Talbot. He was solid and dependable.
Until fate intervened and he met night club singer Nora Prentiss portrayed by Anne Sheridan.
A solid movie with some twists and turns and a good performance by Robert Alda as a nightclub promoter. A-

James Cagney plays a gangster with a heart. He is given the job of overseeing reform schools and when he visits a school with the attractive nurse portrayed by Madge Evans. The mobster decides to reform the reform school. Things are going swell until he gets word that his troops are rebelling in the big city. Very dated but vintage Cagney. B-

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Audrey Totter is restless wife who leaves her milquetoast hubby pharmacist Richard Baseheart. This movie has a few twists but is held together by a solid cast, good dialogue and a truly despicable femme fatale . Worth the checking for fans of classic Hollywood and film noir. A

Saturday, March 18, 2017

This post war film noir follows a former sailor(Robert Ryan) dealing with PTSD , he is in the coast guard and he becomes obsessed by a married woman portrayed by Joan Bennett. Things are complicated by the blind former artist husband of Bennett. This movie has some cool visual dream sequences and decent dialogue. Not my favorite movie from either Bennett or Ryan but a decent short movie worth checking out for Noir fans. B-

Engineer Alan Ladd is attacked by a group of youths after work one night. He decides to take matters in his own hands much to the chagrin of the officer assigned to the case(Rod Stieger). Feeling it's age (made in 1962) this movie feels more like an anti-vigilante made for TV movie. C

Monday, March 13, 2017

This is dialogue driven soap opera with an all star cast. Barbara Stanwyck and James Mason are an upper East-side socialite couple dealing with an affair. Mason had an affair the year before with Ava Gardner - now she is back in town. This soap opera has some great verbal barbs and is worth the time for fans of old Hollywood. B

Saturday, March 11, 2017

Richard Burton is the lead character in this British crime film loosely based on the Kray brothers. Burton is a vicious crim who loves his mother and has a homosexual relationship with a pimp portrayed by Ian McShane. Featuring a funky soundtrack, gritty dialogue and industrial England this movie will be a welcome trip for neo-noir fans. B

Just finished watching this low-key road trip/heist movie. The film follows a coal-miner's estranged wife as she traipses around the country with middle aged men who she picks up. One encounter leads to an odd partnership with a career criminal and other sordid encounters. This movie is not lite entertainment nor something for someone who needs explosions and CGI tomfoolery. A character study of people on the fringes of society. 85%